Zend Avesta

Definition - What does Zend Avesta mean?

The Zend Avesta texts are the principal foundations of the Zoroastrian faith. This is one of the world’s oldest religions and was once among the most widespread as well.

This religion comes from ancient Persia, but in modern times many of its estimated 2.6 million believers live in India. There it is called Parsiism and those who practice it are known as Parsis or Parsees.

Yogapedia explains Zend Avesta

These sacred scriptures are attributed to Zoroaster, who was the founder of the religion. The basis of Zoroastrianism is humaya, hukhta and huvarshta, which translate as "good thoughts, good words and good deeds.”

In terms of yoga, it is believed that the art of pranayama (breath control) comes from the Zoroastrian idea known as dum (spiritual breath). This concept explains that everyone has a pre-set number of breaths in our life, and that controlling and making each breath longer extends one's life.